Physician dragged off flight settles with United

In the report, United Airlines admits several mistakes were made before, during and after Dao was dragged off the April 9 flight, including calling in law enforcement to resolve an incident that was neither a safety nor security issue. However, the doctor refused, making the airport police at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport drag him out of his seat. His lawyers said that he suffered a broken nose, concussion and lost multiple teeth.

Later Thursday, United released a statement saying it was pleased there had been an "amicable resolution" to the incident.

"We look forward to implementing the improvements we have announced, which will put our customers at the center of everything we do", the airline said.

"Mr. Munoz said he was going to do the right thing, and he has".

United also has pledged to reduce overbooking - the practice of selling more tickets than seats on a plane to account for no-shows - on certain flights "that historically have experienced lower volunteer rates", United spokeswoman Maggie Schmerin told AFP.

Less than a month after videos that showed a United passenger being violently dragged off his flight drew global condemnation, Congress has summoned the airline's CEO and executives from other carriers to answer how they will prevent a repeat of the horrifying incident.

The Southwest Airlines chairman announced Thursday that it will end the practice of overbooking flights, a practice that led to a public relations disaster for United Airlines when it dragged off a passenger on one of its commercial airplanes this month. In the message, CEO Oscar Munoz called the April 9 passenger-dragging a "shameful incident" and vowed to win back customers' trust.

In addition, travelers who voluntarily give up their seats due to overbooking will receive up to $10,000.

No one accepted the offer, and United staff then chose four passengers to involuntarily bump. "United has stepped up to the plate and hit a home run", Demetrio said.

Three Chicago Department of Aviation officers who pulled Dao off the plane and a supervisor involved in the incident remain on paid leave.

The company also said traveling crews are to be booked onto a flight 60 minutes before departure.

United Airlines set out to fix its image Thursday, with its chief executive promising to refocus on customers as the company announced changes following the infamous dragging incident that caused worldwide outrage.